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Fort Worth Mayoral Candidates Campaigning Until The End

Remaining Fort Worth mayoral candidates Jim Lane and Betsy Price, who will face each other in a runoff election. (Courtesy: Facebook)

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM)- As the candidates for City of Fort Worth Mayor head into the final week of campaigning, there seem to be few disagreements over issues.

Thursday the two runoff candidates shared a podium under a tent in Burnett Park for a Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. luncheon.

Both Betsy Price and Jim Lane push for better roads, public safety, budget discipline and gas drilling safety. But while Lane has been calling for direct debates, Price doesn’t see a need for them.

“We’ve been out there in each council district to talk the community and Betsy has chosen not to come. She’ll have to explain that,” Lane said during the luncheon.

Price countered the comment saying, “I’ve been with him 51 times today and I will debate him. I’ve debated him numerous times, but we’ll do it as the community schedules them, not debates that he’s scheduled.”

Lane detailed his belief that Fort Worth needs a strong city manager. “I think it’s very important that we keep in mind that this is a city manager form of government here, that’s what our charter is,” he said.

The comment immediately brought some disagreement from Price who said, “We don’t necessarily agree on the city manager deal, because Jim is of the opinion you turn it over to the city manager and I’m of the opinion that the mayor and council set the vision and then turn it over to the city manager.”

Despite their differences, Price did admit that in a few areas she and Lane share common views. “There are a good many things we agree on,” she said.

Of the battle for top city leader Lane said, “This has been a very civil discourse here, nobody’s gonna get ugly.”

Thursday afternoon Betsy Price got the endorsement of Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief who issued a statement that said, “After careful consideration, Rosie and I are supporting Betsy Price for Mayor. Her love of Fort Worth and her ideas about our community’s quality of life are both appealing and visionary. We wish her the best in this election.”

Lane’s a lawyer and former city councilmember; Price is former Tarrant County Tax Assessor.